The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-11-26
CHICAGO AND VICINITY"

Our readers have become quite well
accustomed to the above caption, as it
appears in our columns from week to
week, in connection with the news Of
our churches in this neighborhood. We
are not without evidence that this de-
partment finds many readers among
those who are interested in the prog
ress of our cause in the metropolis Of
the interior States. Chicago has way
of it's own in impressing itself and its
movements ON the public mind. 1t is
the best advertised city in the Union,
with hosts of people interested in it,
and we think it is worthy of the envi-
ronment.
All this is preliminary to some en-
couraging statements in regard to the
progress of our Universalist churches,
made at the regular monthly meeting
of our pastors on Monday Of the present
week. AS these reports were made, one
after the other, all in strain of hope
fulness, with foundation of solid fact
in each instance, we concluded that they
might very appropriately be laid before
the readers of THE UNIvERsALIsT We
hear the cry echoing from all parts of
our Western vineyard, "Watchman,
what of the night?' The Chicago pas
tors here make reply as with one voice,
1.-THE morning cometh." These are the
facts are they not encouraging as a
message to send to all the good friends
of our Zion?
I. st. Paul's Church, our oldest Or
ganization, is evidently in a new era of
progress. 1t is now occupying every
Sunday the beautiful and costly chapel
presented to the parish by two of its
devoted friends, Mr.. Charles l.. Hutch
inson and Harlow N. Higgenbotham.
The new st. Paul's is rapidly approach
ing completion, and early next year,
the main building will be finished, and
the parish will possess one of the most
beautiful churches of the city, in fine
neighborhood, and without dollar of
indebtedness. The congregations in
the chapel are larger than the average
attendance for several years past in the
old st. Paul's; the Sunday-school is
making rapid strides, and has larger
attendance; new families are report
ing from week to week the prayer
meeting has doubled F; and in all depart
ments the work looks more than hope
full. The industrial school, and the
kindergarten occupy the chapel, and as
a result the doors are open for work |
and duty every day in the week.
II. The Church of the Redeemer, in |
the West Division, is in the full tide of |
what is no longer an experiment. The
large congregations attracted in the be-
ginning by the change of location and
the building of the new church, are
steadily held, and the parish has nearly
if not quite, doubled in actual member
ship; the Sunday-school has now an
average attendance of $50; the young
people, of whom there are many, are &C
tive in all social work and are now re-
spending to the distinctively religious
influence; the revival spirit is abroad
among the people, and the coming sea-
son will no doubt witness many access
sions to the church. The pastor is con-
stantly active to keep his people up to
the high water mark of Christian ex-
eellence. In every department activity,
hope and enterprise prevail.
III. The Church of our Father, in
the North Division, was never more
in the conviction that sue
cess is possible, than now. The parish
is well organized, the ladies are push
ing things for another bazar, the Sun :
iay-school prospers, and the seats are
well rented. New families are making